Hotel Okura Kobe

We got married at Hotel Okura on Christmas Eve, with photos and celebrations there, and we'll remember the day forever. We're an international couple with Japanese family, and since we couldn't get to Japan until five days before the event, the planning was all last-minute. Apparently, they'd never done it that way before, but everything came together perfectly. Even the rain let up long enough for photos in the beautiful garden. The staff were incredible, especially our wedding planner and the crew. They were friendly and went above and beyond anything we've experienced before. We can't thank them enough for making the day so special for us and our family. We've also returned several times to the bar, which has an amazing view both before and after dark. I wish I could give more than five stars. Thank you to everyone at Hotel Okura.

The view from our room made the stay. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, you could see Kobe's harbor, skyline and Port Island stretching into the distance. In the morning, the sun on the water made the room feel calm, and it was lovely to sit by the window with coffee and watch boats cross the bay as the city woke up. It almost felt like having a private balcony over Kobe Port. The room was clean, elegant and comfortable, and the windows made it feel even more spacious. But that sweeping waterfront view was the real highlight. If you're visiting Kobe, I'd recommend a harbor view room. It was worth every yen.

The location is a little removed from central Kobe, though the ocean view is gorgeous. A free shuttle from the hotel entrance to Sannomiya station made getting around easy. We didn't try the restaurants or facilities like the pool, and one corner wall was damaged. That was fine with us, since I assume guests' luggage had bumped it, and it can't be repaired after every stay. We'd still recommend the hotel. The staff were incredibly friendly, greeting people even as they passed by. We arrived before check-in and left our bags with the concierge, who brought them to our room. Our deluxe twin sea view room had more amenities than I'm used to: the usual bathroom supplies, plus extra pillows of different firmness, two umbrellas, clothing scent spray, a lint brush and a shoe horn.

I'd give a negative rating if I could. Some staff were rude and even rolled their eyes at us, and telling the manager didn't help. The price is five-star, but the service isn't. Our Airbnb experience was much better. On top of that, using the gym cost about 4,400 yen each visit, even though this is supposed to be a five-star hotel. It certainly doesn't run like one. We won't return, and would encourage others to choose one of the better hotels nearby.